JPH08175310A - Side face air bag actuating system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a side airbag operating device which can deploy a side airbag in a short time by use of physical force generated by a crash, without requiring an ECU. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a U-shaped beam 20 which is deformed in the event of a crash to generate heat, a pair of plate springs 24 installed along an inner base surface of the U-shaped beam at a predetermined interval, a thin metal plate 28 fixed on the ends of the pair of plate springs, and a shape memory alloy member 30 which is deformed above a transformation temperature to bend the pair of plate springs. The device also includes a contact 34 provided on the thin metal plate to make contact with the thin metal plate which is not bent during a crash, and a temperature controller which holds the temperature of the U-shaped beam at a predetermined temperature not higher than the transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy member.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a side airbag operating device for an automobile, and more particularly to a side airbag operating device for an automobile having a simple structure that does not require an ECU for determining whether or not the side airbag should be deployed. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various devices for protecting passengers of a vehicle have been developed. An airbag system, which is one of the devices, protects the occupant by preventing the occupant from directly hitting the vehicle body in the event of a collision. The airbag system includes a collision detection unit such as an acceleration sensor, an ECU that receives a signal from the collision detection unit and determines whether or not to deploy the airbag, and an airbag deployment signal from the ECU that inputs an airbag. And a gas generating section for generating a gas for expanding the air, and an airbag module expanded by the gas generated from the gas generating section. The gas generating part includes a squib (that is, an ignition tube, that is, squib) and an inflator (that is, expander: i).
The air bag deployment signal from the ECU is provided to the squib, and the explosion of the squib causes the explosion of the inflator to generate gas for the deployment of the air bag.

[0003] At present, in general, there are an increasing number of cases in which side airbags are mounted on automobiles in order to protect passengers not only in frontal collisions but also in side collisions. But,
The distance between the occupant and the side body of the car is relatively short compared to the distance between the occupant and the front body of the car.Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the occupant from a side collision, compared to the front airbag. The time required to deploy the side airbag must be short. Therefore, the 5 ″ -30 ms standard, which is a general standard for front airbag systems, cannot be used in side airbag systems.

In the side airbag system, in order to ensure the safety of passengers from a collision, the process from the time of the collision to the time of determining whether to deploy the airbag is one.
Must be completed within 5 ms. For this reason, the side airbag system uses 16-bit or more ECUs, while the front airbag system uses 8-bit ECUs. The use of 16-bit or more ECUs makes the side airbag system expensive. Even if an ECU of 16 bits or more is used, the ECU may have to process a large amount of information in a short time in order to quickly determine whether or not the deployment is necessary. As a result, the reliability of the entire airbag system is reduced.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to utilize physical force caused by collision within a short time. Side airbags can be deployed, and E
It is an object of the present invention to provide a side airbag actuation device that does not require a CU.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gas generator comprising a squib and an inflator, and a side airbag which receives gas generated from the gas generator and expands. A side airbag operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention for operating a side airbag module configured as described above is installed inside a vehicle body of a door of an automobile, and is a U-shaped beam that is deformed to generate heat in the event of a collision; A pair of leaf springs fixed along the inner base surface of the U-shaped beam at predetermined intervals and fixed to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped beam; A thin metal plate that is fixed and connects the pair of leaf springs; connected between opposing surfaces of the pair of leaf springs, deformed at a transformation temperature or higher, and bends the pair of leaf springs The shape memory alloy member; U in the event of a collision
If the shape memory alloy member is deformed due to the temperature rise of the beam, the contact provided on the metal plate to come into contact with the metal plate that is bent by the deformation; and the heat generated outside the U beam. A member, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the U-shaped beam, and a temperature signal sensed by the temperature sensor are input to maintain the temperature of the U-shaped beam at a predetermined temperature equal to or lower than the transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy member. As described above, the temperature holding unit includes a temperature controller that controls the heat generating member.

The squib is connected to each of the U-shaped beam and the contact via electrical leads, and the shape memory alloy member has a transformation temperature selected from the range of 50-80 ° C. For example, the temperature sensor is a thermocouple, that is, the temperature controller controls the temperature of the U-shaped beam to a predetermined temperature that is equal to or higher than the maximum temperature that can be reached inside the door by on / off control. Can be held.

To achieve the above object, there is provided a side airbag module comprising a gas generator comprising a squib and an inflator, and a side airbag which receives gas generated from the gas generator and expands. The side airbag actuating device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is installed inside a vehicle body of a door of an automobile and is deformed at the time of collision. The I-shaped beam is fixed at predetermined intervals along the inner base surface of the I-shaped beam. A pair of leaf springs and a pair of spacers provided between both ends of the pair of leaf springs for fixing the pair of leaf springs to face each other, and the internal base of the I-shaped beam. A spring member fixed to the ends of the inner wall surfaces facing each other orthogonal to the plane and positioned so as to contact the protrusion; and deformation of the I-shaped beam upon collision. Therefore, when the protrusion presses the spring member and bends the spring member, the protrusion is formed of a contact provided on the spring member, and the squib comprises the I-shaped beam and Each of the contacts is connected to it via an electrical lead.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of a side airbag actuating device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a collision sensing unit 10 which constitutes a side airbag operating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The collision sensing unit 10 includes a U-shaped beam 20 and a cap-shaped temperature deformation unit 32.
Composed of and. The temperature deformation part 32 includes a pair of leaf springs 24, a thin metal plate 28, and a shape memory alloy member 30. At least one temperature deformation part 32 is provided on the U-shaped beam 20 along the inner base surface 22 of the U-shaped beam 20. Are installed at predetermined intervals. The pair of leaf springs 24 are installed to face each other at a predetermined interval, one end of which is fixed to the inner base surface 22 of the U-shaped beam 20 by welding, and the other end of which is fixed by welding, for example, a thin metal plate 28.
Interconnected by. A coil-shaped shape memory alloy member 30 is fixed between the pair of leaf springs 24 facing each other.

The entire temperature deformation portion 32 must be made of a conductive material, the U-shaped beam 20 is made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity (eg, copper), and the leaf spring 24 is made of a metal material. The material of the thin metal plate 28 manufactured is not particularly limited. The shape memory alloy member 30 is made of, for example, Ti.
-Ni alloy or Cu-Zn-Al alloy, but is not particularly limited as long as it is within the transformation temperature range of 50 to 80 ° C. The shape memory alloy member 30 has a diameter of 0.1 to 10 m.
Although it has m and a coil shape, it is not limited to this shape as long as the elastic force of the pair of leaf springs 24 can be overcome and bent by transformation.

The transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy member 30 is set higher than the maximum attainable temperature in the door in which the side air bag actuator according to this embodiment is installed. This prevents the side airbag from deploying in unnecessary situations. As shown in FIG. 1, the collision sensing unit 10 that constitutes the side airbag actuating device according to the present embodiment is installed along the longitudinal direction of the door of the automobile, and the airbag module 12 is installed below it. As shown in the figure, the collision sensing unit 10 includes one U-shaped beam 20 and a plurality of temperature deformation units 32.
However, it is also possible to configure a large number of U-shaped beams 20 having one or more temperature deformation portions 32. The installation location in the door is not limited to the location shown in the drawings, and a large number of U-shaped beams 20 can be installed at a large number of locations where deformation is likely to occur during a collision.

In FIG. 3A, the contact 34 is a thin metal plate 28.
And a certain distance apart. Detonator 4 which constitutes a gas generator for generating gas for deploying an air bag
0 is connected to each of the contact point 34 and the collision sensing unit 10 via an electric wire. In addition, since the side airbag operating apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the shape memory alloy member 30, the collision sensing unit 10 is kept within a predetermined temperature range below the transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy member 30 in order to ensure reliability. There is a need to. For this purpose, a heat generating member 36 is installed on the outer circumference of the U-shaped beam 20, and a temperature controller 50 for controlling the heat generating member 36 is electrically connected to the heat generating member 36. The temperature controller 50 uses, for example, on / off control to generate the heat-generating member 3.
6 can be controlled. A temperature sensing sensor 38, for example, a thermocouple, for temperature sensing is installed on the U-shaped beam 20, and is electrically connected to an input end of a temperature controller 50.

When a collision occurs, the U-shaped beam 20 is instantly deformed. Heat is generated by such deformation.
The heat generated by the deformation of the U-shaped beam 20 is transferred to the shape memory alloy member 30 via the leaf spring 24. When the collision occurs at a predetermined speed (for example, 12 mph) or more, the temperature of the shape memory alloy member 30 exceeds the transformation temperature. As a result, the shape memory alloy member 30 is deformed and the pair of leaf springs 24 are attracted. When the pair of leaf springs 24 are attracted, the thin metal plate 28 is bent and comes into contact with the contact 34 (see FIG. 3B). When the thin metal plate 28 contacts the contact 34, a current is applied to the squib 40 to explode the squib 40 and the side airbag is deployed.

The collision sensing unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Is installed inside the door, the deformation of the collision sensing unit 10 due to a collision is related to the rigidity of the vehicle body. Therefore, the size of the collision sensing unit 10 is related to the rigidity of the vehicle body,
It is determined that the side airbag is always deployed when a collision occurs at a speed of mph or higher, and the side airbag is not always deployed when a collision occurs at a speed of 8 mph or lower.

The second embodiment of the side airbag operating device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Here, the same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. FIG. 4 shows a collision sensing unit 60 that constitutes a side airbag operating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Collision sensing unit 60
Is an I-shaped beam 70, an internal base surface 72 of the I-shaped beam 70
It is composed of the deforming portions 80 installed at predetermined intervals along the. The deformable portion 80 is a protrusion 74 fixed at a predetermined interval along the inner base surface 72 of the I-shaped beam 70, and a pair of protrusions positioned on the protrusion 74 and fixed to the ends of the inner wall surfaces 76 of the I-shaped beam 70 facing each other. Plate spring 78 and a pair of plate springs 7 installed at both ends of the pair of plate springs 78.
It is composed of spacers 82 that hold 8 at predetermined intervals.
Meanwhile, the collision sensing unit 60 must be made of an electrically conductive material.

The projection 74 shown in FIG. 4 has a shape of a quadrangular pyramid, but the shape is not limited to this, and the I
The shape does not matter as long as the pair of leaf springs 78 can be pressed and deformed by the deformation of the shaped beam 70. The protrusion 74 is fixed to the inner base surface 72 of the I-beam 70 by welding. Spacers 82 are fixed to both ends of the pair of leaf springs 78 by welding. The leaf spring 78 may be installed in contact with the protrusion 74, or may be installed apart from the protrusion 74 by a predetermined distance.

As in the first embodiment, the collision sensing unit 60, which constitutes the side air bag actuator according to the present embodiment, is installed along the longitudinal direction of the door of the automobile. The collision sensing unit 60 shown in the drawing has one I-shaped beam 70 and multiple deformation units 80.
However, a large number of I-shaped beams 70 having one or more deforming portions 80 can be used. The installation location in the door is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and a large number of I-shaped beams
It is also possible to set 0 at many points of the door where deformation is likely to occur at the time of collision.

In FIG. 5A, the contact point 34 is installed apart from the leaf spring 78 by a predetermined distance. A squib 40, which constitutes a gas generator for generating gas for deploying an airbag, is connected to each of the contact 34 and the collision detector 60 via an electric wire. In this embodiment, since the shape memory alloy member is not used, the heat generating member 36 (see FIG. 1), the temperature sensor 38 (see FIG. 1), and the temperature controller 50 (see FIG. 1) as in the first embodiment. ) Is unnecessary.

When a collision occurs, the pillar portion 70A of the I-shaped beam 70 is bent toward the contact point 34. As a result, the protrusion 74 presses the leaf spring 78 and presses the leaf spring 78.
Are bent toward the contact 34 and come into contact with each other (Fig. 5B).
reference). When the contact 34 and the leaf spring 78 come into contact with each other, an electric current is applied to the squib 40 that constitutes the gas generator, and the squib 40 explodes to deploy the side airbag.

Since the collision sensing unit 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is installed inside the door, the collision sensing unit 6 due to the collision is detected.
A deformation of 0 is related to the rigidity of the car body. Therefore, the size of the collision sensing unit 60 is 12 mp in relation to the rigidity of the vehicle body.
When a collision occurs at a speed of h or more, the side airbag is always deployed, and when a collision occurs at a speed of 8 mph or less, the side airbag is not deployed.

As described above, the side airbag actuating device of the present invention has a simple structure and can replace the existing acceleration sensor and ECU, so that the manufacturing cost of the side airbag system is reduced. . In addition, since the side airbag system using the side airbag actuator of the present invention does not require data processing time in the ECU,
This enables rapid airbag deployment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door on which a side airbag operating device according to the present invention is installed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collision sensing unit of the side airbag operating apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are operation diagrams illustrating an operation of a collision detection unit of the side airbag operating apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the collision detection unit is not deformed, and FIG. 3B is a collision after the collision. It is a figure which shows the deformation | transformation state of a sensing part.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collision sensing unit of a side airbag operating device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are operation diagrams illustrating an operation of a collision detection unit of a side airbag operating apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the collision detection unit is not deformed, and FIG. 5B is a collision after the collision. It is a figure which shows the deformation | transformation state of a sensing part.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Collision Sensing Part 12 Airbag Module 20 U-Shaped Beam 22 Internal Base Surface of U-Shaped Beam 24 Pair of Leaf Springs 28 Metal Thin Plate 30 Shape Memory Alloy Member 32 Temperature Deformation Part 34 Contact Point 36 Exothermic Member 40 Fire Explosive Tube 50 Temperature Controller 60 Collision Sensing Section 70 I-Shaped Beam 72 Internal Base Surface of I-Shaped Beam 74 Projection 76 Wall Surface 78 Pair of Plate Springs 80 Change Section 82 Spacer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An actuating device for actuating a side airbag module comprising a gas generator comprising a squib and an inflator, and a side airbag which receives gas generated from the gas generator and expands. A U-shaped beam that is installed inside a vehicle body of an automobile door and that is deformed to generate heat during a collision; fixed at predetermined intervals along the inner base surface of the U-shaped beam and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped beam A pair of leaf springs fixed to face each other in the direction; a thin metal plate fixed to the ends of the pair of leaf springs and connecting the pair of leaf springs; connected between opposing surfaces of the pair of leaf springs; A shape memory alloy member that is deformed at a transformation temperature or higher and that draws and bends the pair of leaf springs; A contact provided on the thin metal plate so as to come into contact with the thin metal plate that is bent by the shaped member; and a heating member installed outside the U-shaped beam, and a temperature of the U-shaped beam. Temperature sensor for inputting a temperature signal sensed by the temperature sensor and controlling the heat generating member so as to maintain the temperature of the U-shaped beam at a predetermined temperature below the transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy member. A side air bag actuating device, comprising: a temperature holding part constituted by the above, wherein the squib is connected to each of the U-shaped beam and the contact point by an electric wire. 2. The side airbag operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member has a transformation temperature selected from a range of 50 to 80 ° C. 3. The temperature sensor is a thermocouple, and the temperature controller holds the temperature of the U-shaped beam at the predetermined temperature by on / off control, and the predetermined temperature is the door in which the operating device is installed. The side airbag operating device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is equal to or higher than the maximum temperature that can be reached inside. 4. An actuating device for actuating a side airbag module comprising a gas generator comprising a squib and an inflator, and a side airbag which receives gas generated from the gas generator and expands. A U-shaped beam that is installed inside the vehicle body of an automobile door and that is deformed at the time of collision to generate heat; installed at predetermined intervals along the inner base surface of the U-shaped beam and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped beam. A pair of leaf springs that are installed to face each other in a direction; a thin metal plate that is fixed to the end portions of the pair of leaf springs and connects the pair of leaf springs; A shape memory alloy member that deforms at a transformation temperature or higher and draws and bends the pair of leaf springs; the shape memory alloy member changes due to the temperature rise of the U-shaped beam at the time of collision. A contact provided on the metal sheet so as to come into contact with the metal sheet to be bent, and a heating member installed outside the U-shaped beam; and a temperature of the U-shaped beam. A temperature sensor, and a temperature controller for controlling the heat-generating member so that the temperature signal detected by the temperature sensor is input and the temperature of the U-shaped beam is maintained at a predetermined temperature below the transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy member. The temperature detonator is composed of the temperature holding part, the detonator is connected to each of the U-shaped beam and the contact by an electric wire, and the shape memory alloy member has a transformation temperature selected from a range of 50 to 80 ° C. The temperature sensor is a thermocouple, and the temperature controller holds the temperature of the U-shaped beam at the predetermined temperature by on / off control. The side airbag operating device, wherein the constant temperature is equal to or higher than the maximum attainable temperature inside the door in which the operating device is installed. 5. An actuating device for actuating a side air bag module comprising a gas generator comprising a squib and an inflator, and a side air bag inflated by receiving gas generated from the gas generator, An I-shaped beam installed inside a vehicle door body and deformed at the time of a collision; a protrusion fixed at a predetermined interval along the inner base surface of the I-shaped beam; a pair of leaf springs and a pair of leaf springs. And a pair of spacers provided between both ends for fixing the pair of leaf springs so as to face each other, and fixed to an end of an inner wall surface of the I-shaped beam which is orthogonal to the inner base surface. A spring member positioned so as to contact with the spring; and the protrusion presses the spring member due to the deformation of the I-shaped beam at the time of collision and the spring. A contact provided on the spring member to contact the spring member when the material flexes, the squib being connected to the I-beam and to that of the contact by an electrical conductor. A characteristic side airbag actuation device.